Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Interview With a Pirate Rat!


I have a special guest for you today. Please welcome Vlad, the talking pirate rat.


Thank you for visiting, Vlad. I'm thrilled I get to pick your brain today.

Arrr, swabber! No one be messin' with me poor brain, lest ye end up in Davey Jones' locker!

Forgive me, Vlad. What was I thinking? I didn't mean it literally. (The scars on the top of his head make me wince.) It's just that you're such an amazing rat, being able to not only talk, but you can also sing.

  Aye, swabber, thanks fer ye blog invite,
Yeo-heave-ho and a barrel of crumbs,
But don't be askin' this rat to write,
Yeo-heave-ho, got a bottle of rum?

I love your pirate ditties, Vlad. That was way cool.

Aye, got me voice from me sweet mum. Singing ditties is me specialty. Glad ye likes it, landlubber.

I'm sure people are wondering how in the world a rat can not only talk, but also sing. Can you explain it for them, Vlad?

(The hair along Vlad's spine bristles like a scrub brush. His eyes are misty. He wipes them with the back of his paws.)

If this is too painful to continue, I understand.

Nay, matey. Let me tell me tale. I once be a spry young parrot on a pirate ship. Woe, how me longs fer salty sea breezes ruffling me wings.

Ah, I love the crisp smell of ocean air, too.

To makes a long story short, after being kidnapped by two scurvy swine, me ended up in the clutches of a mad scientist, Bela Zantony.

Oh, yes, Uncle Bela Zantony is mentioned in the first Monster Moon book, Curse at Zala Manor. He was AJ Zantony's 13th great-uncle, a scientist.

A mad scientist, me heartie. Mad as a kraken in a witch's brew. A beautiful, plumed parrot t'was I when he took me into his lab. Blast! I awoke trapped in this wretched rodent's vessel.

I'm so sorry, Vlad. What a nightmare. How long ago did that happen?

Awk! Summer of 1698 me parrot self met me fate, but me brain lives on. Bela messed up when he transplanted me parrot brain into this blasted rat's head. He muddled up the aging process so I be cursed to live as a rat forever.

Here, Vlad, have a piece of muenster. I hope this isn't too uncomfortable, sharing your history with us.

(No response. Vlad's scarfing down the cheese. My bad. Note to self: Never offer animals a snack in the middle of an interview.)

Ahem! I'm sure AJ Zantony, Emily Peralta, Freddy 'Hangman' Gallows, and the other Zombuddies are thankful you survived through three centuries and are there to help them face the spooky predicaments they find themselves in.

(Vlad's slurping from my hot chocolate.)

Excuse my bad manners, Vlad, for not offering you a drink. You can have the rest of mine.

(Loud belch) Thank ye, swabber. Now, where's the rest of the grub ye promised fer this interview?

Coming right up, Vlad. Just one last question. Both Monster Moon books, Curse at Zala Manor and Secret of Haunted Bog, mention something about you knowing where pirate treasure is buried. Can you tell us how to find it?

Arrr, scallywag! I'll never tell. Awk! Never tell!

I had a feeling you'd say that. Thanks so much for visiting Random Acts of Weirdness, Vlad. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the folks?

Aye, mates, tis a merry time of year,
Me be wishin' ye much Christmas fun,
Remember, me loves rich tasty cheer,
Like, maybe a puddin' full of rum.


Thanks for coming, Vlad. Your feast awaits you in the kitchen. I hope you'll come back. 

It'll cost ye scraps fer life, matey.

You got yerself a deal, Vlad! *wink* 

Vlad's a regular character in the fun, spooky Monster Moon mystery series by BBH McChiller. If you'd like to learn more about Vlad and the Zombuddies, you can read about them in CURSE AT ZALA MANOR and SECRET OF HAUNTED BOG, for ages 8 - 12, available in hardback and eBooks:

17 comments:

Sarah Tokeley said...

I'm pretty sure that's the first interview I've ever read with a rat that used to be a parrot :-)

Emily R. King said...

I don't care what anyone else says, that rat is cute. And his personality? He could have his own cartoon! Brilliant interview, Lynn!

Stephanie D said...

I'll have to check these out. I think Peanut would love them!

Old Kitty said...

A pirate parrot turned into a hot chocolate drinking rat?!?! What's not to love? Yay!!

Take care
x

Anonymous said...

A rat that used to be a parrot os so original, I love it! I'm putting these on the to-read list, thanks Lyn.

Heather Kelly said...

I love Vlad! I think that one of the secrets to successful mg are these sorts of awesome elements! I love all the cool characters in your books, Lynn!!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad I met Vlad! He seems like a rat with a story to tell!
Congrats on your books! You are a very busy lady!

Alicia Street said...

Love this post and Vlad! Looks like I'll have to add yet another book to my long TBR queue.

jerzey72 said...

Ill check them out

LynNerdKelley said...

Sarah - I sure hope there aren't any other parrot-rats out there. But if there are, Vlad might just find himself a new BFF!

E.R. - Thank you! Vlad is quite a character, isn't he? He'd probably love starring in a cartoon! LOL!

Stephanie - Thanks! Tell Peanut that Vlad says, "Shiver me timbers, matey!"

Susie - Thank you. Yes, Vlad has many stories to share with us!

Alicia - Thanks for stopping by. I need to check out your new blog!

jerzey72 - Cool! Thanks!

Margo Berendsen said...

I love Vlad! Keep bringing him back! He makes me want to talk like a pirate, too.

Nancy Thompson said...

I'd never think to put all those elements together. How creative!

Anita said...

I like the questions you came up with! And the photo is great!

LynNerdKelley said...

Margo - Cool! So glad you like Vlad! Arrr!

Nancy - It took three of us brainstorming together! It's great fun!

Anita - Thanks so much! I value your opinion!

Carol Kilgore said...

Lots of imagination going on here. Such fun!

Dave King said...

Fabulous! Love it!

LynNerdKelley said...

Carol - Thanks! Yes, it's a ton of fun!

Dave - Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!